At least five election signs for NDP candidate Kallee Lins were deliberately knocked down around Trail in recent days, adding to the 15 defaced signs reported last week between Castlegar and Slocan.
On Saturday morning, campaign volunteers repaired five damaged signs, replacing stakes and uprights at a cost of time and resources.
“What kind of citizen does this?” said Lori Swanson, a member of Lins' campaign team.
“It is gut-wrenching to think we cannot simply campaign for our candidate of choice.”
Under British Columbia’s Election Act, removing, defacing, or altering election materials without authorization is an offence.
Violators face fines up to $10,000, up to one year in jail, or both.
The Trail incidents follow earlier reports from Nelson, with the NDP campaign office reporting on April 9 that federal election signs had been vandalized.
According to the NDP campaign office, all 15 of its signs along Highway 3 — from Slocan Valley Junction to Nelson’s city limits — were defaced.
Campaign manager Patricia Smuga said the incidents have been reported to the RCMP.
“We would like to add that we do not condone vandalism of political signs, whether they belong to our campaign or to any other candidate,” Smuga said.
“Respectful democratic engagement means allowing all voices to be heard, and acts of vandalism undermine that process.”
